February 12, 2010 TOP RECRUIT Bruins land Jenna Richmond, six others
LOS ANGELES – Jenna Richmond, acknowledge by many as the top high school recruit in the country has signed a letter of intent to play at UCLA, along with six otherplayers.
In addition to Richmond, who is a member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team, UCLA also landed U.S. Under-18 standouts Natalia Ledezma, Ariana Martinez and Kylie Facinelli as well as midfielder Chelsea Braun, defender Crystal Shaffie and forward Jalissa Freeman.
“This is an outstanding class that not only features some high-caliber soccer players, but a good number of well-rounded athletes as well,” said UCLA coach Jillian Ellis, who is entering her 12th season as head coach at UCLA. “Our focus every year is to land the best players in the country and I believe we achieved that goal yet again. This coaching staff is eager to begin working with this talented group of individuals.”
Richmond (MF / Centreville, Va. (Centreville HS), is considered the top recruit in the country. She was a member of the Under-20 U.S. National Team that recently captured the 2010 CONCACAF Championship in Guatemala City, Guatemala. In high school, she was the 2009 Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Virginia and a Parade All American as well as a 2007 and 2008 NSCAA/adidas Youth All-American. Richmond played club soccer for the McLean Freedom, leading the team to a national championship in 2006.
Ledezma (F-MF / La Mirada, Calif. / La Mirada HS) has represented the U.S. at the U-15, U-17 and U-18 levels. She is currently in the Under-18 U.S. National Team Player Pool and was a starter on the U-18 Team that defeated Canada’s U-20s, 5-1 in July of 2009. Ledezma won a national championship as a member of the Irvine Strikers before joining the Slammers FC.
Martinez (F-MF / Moorpark, Calif. /Moorpark HS) is currently in the Under-18 U.S. National Team Player Pool. She represented the U-18s in a 5-1 victory over Canada’s U-20s in July of 2009 in Boulder, Colo. and was named MVP at the Surf Cup in 2009. Martinez plays club soccer for Real So Cal.
Facinelli (MF / San Diego, Calif. /Cathedral Catholic HS) is currently in the Under-18 U.S. National Team Player Pool . She has also played with the U.S. Under-15s. A member of CalSouth ODP Team since 2005 and a Region-IV Team member since 2007, helping them to a championship in 2009. Facinelli played club soccer for the San Diego Surf from 2001-08. She is graduating high school early to enroll at UCLA for the spring quarter.
Braun (MF / Woodside, Calif. /Woodside HS) was captain for Woodside High School and her club team the De Anza Force. She led Woodside in goals and assists her sophomore through senior years.
Shaffie ( D / San Jose, Calif. /Archbishop Mitty HS) was a three-year varsity letterwinner at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, Calif. And team captain in 2008 and 2009. She was a West Coast Athletic League First-Team selection in 2009and also named WCAL Junior of the Year in 2009. Shaffie played club soccer for the MVLA Avalance.
Freeman ( F / Modesto, Calif. /James C. Enochs HS) played club soccer for the Pleasanton Rage and was a member of the CalNorth ODP State Team and also a Region-IV Team member. She helped the Rage to a CalNorth State Cup semifinal appearance in 2008 and was also a member of the Mustang Earthquakes that advanced to the CalNorth State Cup and Region-IV finals in 2006. Freeman did not play high school soccer.
